Struggling with Scripture: Hosea 10:11-15

I have been taught throughout Seminary that the process of becoming Christ like is one of transformation, especially being transformed by dwelling in and receiving Jesus' love.  I believe this completely - I find God's love much like the sun, giving warmth, light, and food to me who is much like a plant - needing the sun for life,  food, warmth, and being unable to grow without the sun's light (remember this is a metaphor and does not play out perfectly).

However, I also know and struggle with our own working out of our salvation with fear and trembling, acting out God's love in the world - empowered by God but working hard as well.  Hosea 10:11-15 helps me to articulate this struggle.  Ephraim, the major tribe in the northern kingdom of Israel, loves to rebel but God says, "I will make Ephraim break the ground" as in plow fields; this is then extended to the major tribe in the southern kingdom, Judah. 

Then God, after saying, "I will make," now says, "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you."  God, in the divine mystery and complexity, seems to be here about partnership - action on Judah's part in righteousness (acting out mercy and justice) will allow them to reap steadfast love bound within covenant to God; however, the Lord helps with this if we seek him, that he may come and "rain righteousness" upon us.

Yet, I wonder how many of us fall because we refuse to seek the Lord, to sow mercy and justice.  Instead we have a tendency towards sin (OK, more than a tendency) and we reap injustice from our wickedness.  Hosea further critiques all nations in verse 13 "Because you have trusted in your power and in the multitude of your warriors, THEREFORE the tumult of war shall rise against your people and all your fortresses shall be destroyed."  Ultimately, the nation of Israel is ended "utterly cut off" (historically this would be the extinction of the northern kingdom) because they trusted in their military might instead of in God (sound familiar?).  

Praise be to the Divine Trinity who blazed a new trail for us in the cross and resurrection, who rains mercy and grace upon us, and who helps us to work with love for righteousness. Lord...teach us to sow righteousness so we may reap steadfast love, teach us to seek you that you may rain down righteousness upon us.